Ophiolites of the Eastern Peninsulas zone (Eastern Kamchatka): Age, composition, and geodynamic diversity

Abstract   The geological, geochemical and mineralogical data of dismembered ophiolites of various ages and genesis occurring in accretionary piles of the Eastern Peninsulas of Kamchatka enables us to discriminate three ophiolite complexes: (i) Aptian–Cenomanian complex: a fragment of ancient oceanic crust, composed of tholeiite basalts, pelagic sediments, and gabbroic rocks, presently occurring in a single tectonic slices (Afrika complex) and in olistoplaques in Pikezh complex of the Kamchatsky Mys Peninsula and probably in the mélange of the Kronotsky Peninsula; (ii) Upper Cretaceous complex, composed of highly depleted peridotite, gabbro and plagiogranite, associated with island arc tholeiite, boninite, and high-alumina tholeiitic basalt of supra-subduction origin; and (iii) Paleocene–Early Eocene complex of intra-island arc or back-arc origin, composed of gabbros, dolerites (sheeted dykes) and basalts produced from oceanic tholeiite melts, and back-arc basin-like dolerites. Formation of the various ophiolite complexes is related to the Kronotskaya intra-oceanic volcanic arc evolution. The first ophiolite complex is a fragment of ancient Aptian–Cenomanian oceanic crust on which the Kronotskaya arc originated. Ophiolites of the supra-subduction zone affinity were formed as a result of repeated partial melting of peridotites in the mantle wedge up to the subduction zone. This is accompanied by production of tholeiite basalts and boninites in the Kamchatsky Mys segment and plagioclase-bearing tholeiites in the Kronotsky segment of the Kronotskaya paleoarc. The ophiolite complex with intra-arc and mid-oceanic ridge basalt geochemical characteristics was formed in an extension regime during the last stage of Kronotskaya volcanic arc evolution.     

Geochronological constraints on the evolution of the Periadriatic Fault System (Alps)

Fault rocks from various segments of the Periadriatic fault system (PAF; Alps) have been directly dated using texturally controlled Rb-Sr microsampling dating applied to mylonites, and both stepwise-heating and laser-ablation ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating applied to pseudotachylytes. The new fault ages place better constraints on tectonic models proposed for the PAF, particularly in its central sector. Along the North Giudicarie fault, Oligocene (E)SE-directed thrusting (29-32 Ma) is currently best explained as accommodation across a cogenetic restraining bend within the Oligocene dextral Tonale-Pustertal fault system. In this case, the limited jump in metamorphic grade observed across the North Giudicarie fault restricts the dextral displacement along the kinematically linked Tonale fault to ~30 km. Dextral displacement between the Tonale and Pustertal faults cannot be transferred via the Peio fault because of both Late Cretaceous fault ages (74-67 Ma) and sinistral transtensive fault kinematics. In combination with other pseudotachylyte ages (62-58 Ma), widespread Late Cretaceous-Paleocene extension is established within the Austroalpine unit, coeval with sedimentation of Gosau Group sediments. Early Miocene pseudotachylyte ages (22-16 Ma) from the Tonale, Pustertal, Jaufen and Passeier faults argue for a period of enhanced fault activity contemporaneous with lateral extrusion of the Eastern Alps. This event coincides with exhumation of the Penninic units and contemporaneous sedimentation within fault-bound basins.     

The DAV and Periadriatic fault systems in the Eastern Alps south of the Tauern window

Alpine deformation of Austroalpine units south of the Tauern window is dominated by two kinematic regimes. Prior to intrusion of the main Periadriatic plutons at ~30 Ma, the shear sense was sinistral in the current orientation, with a minor north-side-up component. Sinistral shearing locally overprints contact metamorphic porphyroblasts and early Periadriatic dykes. Direct Rb-Sr dating of microsampled synkinematic muscovite gave ages in the range 33-30 Ma, whereas pseudotachylyte locally crosscutting the mylonitic foliation gave an interpreted ⁴⁰Ar-³⁹Ar age of ~46 Ma. The transition from sinistral to dextral (transpressive) kinematics related to the Periadriatic fault occurred rapidly, between solidification of the earlier dykes and of the main plutons. Subsequent brittle-ductile to brittle faults are compatible with N-S to NNW-SSE shortening and orogen-parallel extension. Antithetic Riedel shears are distinguished from the previous sinistral fabric by their fine-grained quartz microstructures, with local pseudotachylyte formation. One such pseudotachylyte from Speikboden gave a ⁴⁰Ar-³⁹Ar age of 20 Ma, consistent with pseudotachylyte ages related to the Periadriatic fault. The magnitude of dextral offset on the Periadriatic fault cannot be directly estimated. However, the jump in zircon and apatite fission-track ages establishes that the relative vertical displacement was ~4-5 km since 24 Ma, and that movement continued until at least 13 Ma.     

Jurassic and Cretaceous rhyncholites (Cephalopod jaws) from the North Atlantic Ocean (Deep Sea Drilling Project Leg 1–79) and their European Counterparts

Well-established species of non-nautilid jaws (Rhynchoteuthis, Palaeoteuthis, andLeptocheilus) from the European Continent and North Africa have been found in Pliensbachian and Oxfordian to Barremian beds of the North Atlantic Ocean (Deep Sea Drilling Project boreholes 1-547B). The rhyncholites from DSDP cores demonstrate stratigraphic condensation, redeposition, and changing palaeoceanographical conditions during the late Jurassic. Being characteristic Tethyan organisms such rhyncholites can also be used as index fossils and indicators for palaeobiogeography, palaeobathymetry, and palaeoclimate. Most likely the rhyncholites described here could be calcified upper jaws of Phylloceratid or Lytoceratid ammonites.

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Zusammenfassung In den DSDP-Bohrungen 1-547B im Nordatlantik sind nicht-nautilide Cephalopoden-Oberkiefer bekannter Arten des europäischen Festlands (Rhynchoteuthis, Palaeoteuthis, Palaeotheutis, undLeptocheilus) im Pliensbachium und vom Oxfordium bis Barremium verbreitet. Die DSDP-Rhyncholithenfunde zeigen stratigraphische Kondensation, Umlagerung und einen Wechsel in den Faziesbedingungen während des Oberen Jura an. Ebenso können solche Rhyncholithen als charakteristische Tethys-Elemente für Aussagen über die Biostratigraphie, Paläobiogeographie und als Paläoklima-Indikatoren verwendet werden. Höchstwahrscheinlich stellen die hier beschriebenen Rhyncholithen karbonatische Oberkiefer von Phylloceraten und Lytoceraten dar.

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Résumé Les couches du Pliensbachien et de l'Oxfordien-Barrémien de l'Atlantique nord (site DSDP 1-547B) renferment des machoires de céphalopodes non nautiloïdes appartenant à des espèces connues sur les continents européen et nord-africain (Rhynchoteuthis, Palaeoteuthis, Palaeotheutis etLeptocheilus). Ces fossiles témoignent d'une condensation stratigraphique, d'un remaniement et d'un changement des conditions de facies au cours du Jurassique supérieur. Comme ces rhyncholites sont des organismes caractéristiques de la Téthys, ils peuvent être utilisés comme des indicateurs de paléobiogéographie, de paléobathymétrie et des paléoclimats. Selon toute vraisemblance, les rhyncholites en question ici sont des machoires supérieures calcifiées de phylloceratides ou de lytoceratides.

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1–547 DSDP , (Rhynchoteuthis, Palaeoteuthis, Palaeotheutis Leptocheilui) . , . . . , , , . , .

     

Zur Stratigraphie der grobklastischen Fazies im Oxfordium des Wiehengebirges

Zusammenfassung Der Fund vonPeltoceratoides instabiliformis n. sp. in Steinbrüchen am Gehn nordwestlich von Osnabrück (Abb. 3) liefert weitere Kriterien, daß der Wiehengebirgssandstein, dessen stratigraphische Stellung wegen Mangel charakteristischer Fossilien unsicher ist, ins höhere Oxfordium zu stellen ist. Diese grobklastische Fazies vertritt im Wiehengebirge im wesentlichen die für das Wesergebirge typische kalkige Fazies des Korallenooliths. Anschließend wird zu einer neueren paläogeographischen Mitteilung über den Korallenoolith Nordwestdeutschlands kurz Stellung genommen.

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In quarries at the Gehn NW of Osnabrück, several specimens ofPeltoceratoides instabiliformis n. sp. have been found. This gives further indications to the stratigraphic position of the Wiehengebirgs sandstone — which is uncertain, due to the lack of characteristic fossils — to be of Upper Oxfordian age. In the Wiehengebirge though, this coarse clastic facies substitutes to a large extent the calcareous facies of the Korallenoolith typical for the Wesergebirge.A recent paleogeographic report on the Korallenoolith of NW-Germany is then briefly discussed.

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Résumé LesPeltoceratoides instabiliformis n. sp. découverts dans des carrières du Gehn au nord-ouest d'Osnabrück fournissent d'autres indices affirmant que le grès du Wiehengebirge dont la position stratigraphique est incertaine faute de fossiles caractéristiques doit être attribué à l'Oxfordien supérieur. Dans le Wiehengebirge, ce faciès clastique à grain grossier remplace dans l'essentiel le faciès calcaire du Korallenoolith typique pour le Wesergebirge.Il suit une brève critique d'une communication paléogéographique récemment parue sur le Korallenoolith du Nord-Ouest de l'Allemagne.

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. Peltoceratoides instabiliformis n. sp. . . , . - .

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Herrn Professor Dr.Roland Brinkmann zum 70. Geburtstag gewidmet.     

Zircon M127 – A Homogeneous Reference Material for SIMS U–Pb Geochronology Combined with Hafnium,Oxygen and,Potentially, Lithium Isotope Analysis

In this article, we document a detailed analytical characterisation of zircon M127, a homogeneous 12.7 carat gemstone from Ratnapura, Sri Lanka. Zircon M127 has TIMS‐determined mean U–Pb radiogenic isotopic ratios of 0.084743 ± 0.000027 for ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U and 0.67676 ± 0.00023 for ²⁰⁷Pb/²³⁵U (weighted means, 2s uncertainties). Its ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of 524.36 ± 0.16 Ma (95% confidence uncertainty) is concordant within the uncertainties of decay constants. The δ¹⁸O value (determined by laser fluorination) is 8.26 ± 0.06‰ VSMOW (2s), and the mean ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf ratio (determined by solution ICP‐MS) is 0.282396 ± 0.000004 (2s). The SIMS‐determined δ⁷Li value is ?0.6 ± 0.9‰ (2s), with a mean mass fraction of 1.0 ± 0.1 μg g^?1 Li (2s). Zircon M127 contains ~ 923 μg g^?1 U. The moderate degree of radiation damage corresponds well with the time‐integrated self‐irradiation dose of 1.82 × 10¹⁸ alpha events per gram. This observation, and the (U–Th)/He age of 426 ± 7 Ma (2s), which is typical of unheated Sri Lankan zircon, enable us to exclude any thermal treatment. Zircon M127 is proposed as a reference material for the determination of zircon U–Pb ages by means of SIMS in combination with hafnium and stable isotope (oxygen and potentially also lithium) determination.     

Comparison of seismic activity for Llaima and Villarrica volcanoes prior to and after the Maule 2010 earthquake

Llaima and Villarrica are two of the most active volcanoes in the Chilean Southern Volcanic Zone and presently show contrasting types of activity. Llaima is a closed vent edifice with fumarolic activity, while Villarrica has an open vent with a lava lake, continuous degassing and tremor activity. This study is focused on characterizing the relationships between volcanic and seismic activity in the months before and after the 2010 M8.8 Maule earthquake, which was located in NNW direction from the volcanoes. Time series for tremors, long-period and volcano-tectonic events were obtained from the catalogue of the Volcanic Observatory of the Southern Andes (OVDAS) and from the SFB 574 temporary volcanic network. An increase in the amount of tremor activity, long-period events and degassing rates was observed at Villarrica weeks before the mainshock and continued at a high level also after it. This increase in activity is interpreted to be caused by enhanced magma influx at depth and may be unrelated to the Maule event. In Llaima, an increase in the volcano-tectonic activity was observed directly after the earthquake. The simultaneous post-earthquake activity at both volcanoes is consistent with a structural adjustment response. Since this enhanced activity lasted for more than a year, we suggest that it is related to a medium-term change in the static stress. Thus, the Maule earthquake may have affected both volcanoes, but did not trigger eruptions, from which we assume that none of the volcanoes were in a critical state.